Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some or very little? Organized labor

Great deal

Quite a lot

Some

Very little

None (vol.)

No opinion

Great deal/Quite a lot

%

%

%

%

%

%

%

2019

13

16

45

22

2

2

29

2018

12

14

45

23

2

4

26

2017

13

15

41

27

2

3

28

2016

8

15

44

27

2

4

23

2015

12

12

42

28

3

3

24

2014

10

12

38

33

5

3

22

2013

10

10

42

31

4

4

20

2012

11

10

37

34

4

4

21

2011

9

12

39

33

4

3

21

2010

10

10

41

33

3

4

20

2009

8

11

40

34

5

3

19

2008

10

10

44

28

2

6

20

2007

8

11

45

29

3

3

19

2006

9

15

43

26

2

6

24

2005

12

12

47

23

2

4

24

2004

12

19

43

22

2

2

31

2003

12

16

47

20

2

3

28

2002

11

15

48

21

2

3

26

2001

12

14

43

23

3

5

26

2000

9

16

44

23

2

5

25

1999

13

15

44

24

2

2

28

1998

11

15

45

22

2

5

26

1997

11

12

43

27

2

5

23

1996

11

14

44

26

2

3

25

1995

11

15

46

23

2

3

26

1994

11

15

41

28

3

2

26

1993

9

17

41

26

3

4

26

1991 Oct

10

12

39

32

2

4

22

1991 Feb

11

14

42

25

2

6

25

1990

11

16

40

25

3

5

27

1989

--

--

--

--

--

--

--

1988

9

17

40

27

4

3

26

1987

7

19

39

28

3

4

26

1986

10

19

39

26

3

4

29

1985

8

20

39

27

3

4

28

1984

13

17

34

32

--

4

30

1983

8

18

38

28

2

6

26

1981

11

17

32

25

12

4

28

1979

14

22

33

24

3

4

36

1977

15

24

32

21

2

6

39

1975

14

22

34

23

2

6

36

1973

14

16

36

15

9

10

30

(vol.) = Volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%

Gallup

Thinking about the future, do you think labor unions in this country will become stronger than they are today, the same as today or weaker than they are today?

Stronger

Same

Weaker

No opinion

%

%

%

%

2018 Aug 1-12

19

24

51

5

2017 Aug 2-6

22

27

46

5

2016 Aug 3-7

22

25

46

7

2015 Aug 5-9

21

23

53

4

2014 Aug 7-10

21

25

49

6

2013 Aug 7-11

22

21

52

5

2012 Aug 9-12

21

22

52

4

2011 Aug 11-14

20

22

55

3

2010 Aug 5-8

25

25

46

5

2009 Aug 6-9

24

24

48

4

2008 Aug 7-10

22

30

41

7

2007 Aug 13-16

19

31

45

5

2005 Aug 8-11

19

25

53

3

2004 Aug 9-11

21

34

41

4

2002 Aug 5-8

23

35

36

6

2001 Aug 16-19

24

30

40

6

1999 Aug 24-26

25

28

44

3

Gallup

Would you, personally, like to see labor unions in the United States have more influence than they have today, the same amount as today or less influence than they have today?

Have you heard of state laws called right-to-work or "open shop" laws?

Yes, heard of

No, not heard of

No opinion

%

%

%

2014 Aug 7-10

55

45

1

1957 Jul 18-23

66

32

2

Gallup

Some states have passed right-to-work or open shop laws that say each worker has the right to hold his job in a company, no matter whether he joins a labor union, or not. If you were asked to vote on such a law, would you vote for it, or against it?

Vote for

Vote against

No opinion

%

%

%

2014 Aug 7-10

71

22

7

1957 Jul 18-23

62

27

11

Gallup

Those in favor of right-to-work or open shop laws say that no American should be required to join any private organization, like a labor union, against his will. Do you agree or disagree with this?

Agree

Disagree

No opinion

%

%

%

2014 Aug 7-10 ^

82

15

3

1957 Jul 18-23

73

18

9

^ Asked of a half sample

Gallup

Those opposed to right-to-work or open shop laws say that when all workers share the gains won by the labor union, all workers should have to join and pay dues to give the union financial support. Do you agree or disagree with this?

Agree

Disagree

No opinion

%

%

%

2014 Aug 7-10 ^

32

64

5

1957 Jul 18-23

44

41

14

^ Asked of a half sample

Gallup

As I read off each of the following, please tell me whether you think it has too much power, about the right amount of power or not enough power. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Too much

About right

Not enough

No opinion

%

%

%

%

Lobbyists

71

13

8

8

Major corporations

67

21

9

3

Banks and financial institutions

67

23

8

2

The federal government in Washington

58

30

9

3

Labor unions

43

28

24

4

The government in your state

34

49

15

2

The courts, legal system and judges

34

49

14

3

Organized religion and churches

25

46

24

4

The municipal or local government where you live

22

53

21

3

The military

14

53

28

4

2011 Mar 25-27

Gallup

What word or phrase comes to mind when you think of labor unions? [OPEN-ENDED]

2011 Mar 3-6

%

Good/Great

10

No longer needed/Unnecessary

6

For them/Approve/In favor

6

Needed/Necessary

6

Dislike

4

Against/Not for

4

Bad/Unfair

4

Powerful

3

Worker's rights

3

Crooks/Thieves

3

Corrupt

2

Protection

2

OK/Fair

2

Greedy

2

Outdated

1

Strikes

1

Collective bargaining

1

Helpful

1

Positive

1

Negative

1

Controlling

1

Evil

1

Get rid of/Disband

1

Other

23

No opinion

12

Gallup

Thinking now about state government efforts to balance their budgets, please say whether you would favor or oppose taking each of the following steps to help balance your state's budget. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

Reducing or eliminating certain state programs

65

32

3

Reducing the number of workers on the state payroll

62

35

3

Changing state laws to limit the bargaining power of state employee unions

49

45

6

Reducing state worker pay and benefits

43

54

4

Raising state taxes on businesses

39

58

2

Raising state income or sales taxes

33

66

1

Borrowing more money by issuing bonds

30

66

3

2011 Mar 3-6

Gallup

As you may know, one way the legislature in Wisconsin is seeking to reduce its budget deficit is by passing a bill that would take away some of the collective bargaining rights of most public unions, including the state teachers' union. Would you favor or oppose such a bill in your state?

Favor

Oppose

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Feb 21

33

61

6

Asked on Gallup Daily tracking survey

Gallup

In states in which government workers belong to unions, do you think those unions are generally more helpful or more harmful to those states?

More helpful

More harmful

No opinion

%

%

%

2011 Feb 21

45

46

9

Asked on Gallup Daily tracking survey

Gallup

In the labor disputes of the last two or three years, have your sympathies, in general been -- [ROTATED: on the side of unions (or) on the side of the companies]?